EKKA organisers have substantially ramped up foot and mouth disease precautions, including planning the strategic placement of 25 sanitising foot mat stations.
RNA chief executive Brendan Christou said Biosecurity Queensland had strongly re-iterated to the RNA that as Australia remained free of FMD, the risk of the disease affecting the Ekka was considered very low and livestock events at the Ekka could run as normal, and as planned, with appropriate biosecurity measures in place.
"As you are aware, an outbreak of foot and mouth disease was reported in cattle in Indonesia in May this year which spread to Bali," Ms Christou said.
"The virus affects cloven-hoofed animals including cattle, sheep, goats, alpacas, camels, deer, and pigs.
"While the risk of FMD has been heightened recently with the Indonesian outbreak, the disease is not present in Australia."
Tougher biosecurity measures to be introduced at the Ekka include:
- As a condition of entry to the Ekka all livestock competitors and exhibitors must increase their level of vigilance in monitoring the health status of their livestock on-property before moving, to ensure only healthy animals come onto the showgrounds.
- As a precaution, sanitising foot mat stations will be located at entry/exit points in livestock areas across the grounds for people to wipe their feet on. About 25 stations will be located at our livestock areas including the Large Animal Pavilion, Dairy Pavilion and Stock Pavilion.
- The animal nursery will have sanitising foot mat stations at entry and exit, which will be monitored, additional signage and educational biosecurity awareness.
- Additional signage educating people on animal health and biosecurity awareness.
- Biosecurity Queensland conducting face to face seminars with exhibitors and provide the latest information and advice.
Mr Christou said the RNA would continue to work closely with Biosecurity Queensland on its biosecurity measures and implementation, led by RNA Veterinary Committee chair Dr Roly Nieper.
The Federal Government has also introduced new biosecurity measures in response to FMD being detected in Bali, a popular destination for Australian tourists.
These include targeted operations at airports for returning travellers, biosecurity detector dogs and inspections at mail centres.
An outbreak of FMD in Australia is estimated to cost $80 billion.